Visit Us - The Tank Museum

The Tank Museum brings the story of tanks and their crews to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks in awe-inspiring, modern exhibitions.

The museum houses 300 military machines, representing the key battles of every major conflict since the First World War. Our moving exhibitions tell the story of this British invention; from the mud of the Somme to the beaches of Normandy and the deserts of Iraq – featuring powerful stories from the soldiers that fought in them.

Get ready to experience the Biggest Day Out in History…

Open 10am-5pm
Closed 24-26 December
Allow 4-5hrs for your visit
300 tanks from around the world
9 Powerful Exhibitions
Cafe & Shop
Excellent Accessibility

BOOK YOUR VISIT NOW

A great and interesting day out for 3 generations! My family and I have been holidaying in the New... read moreMy family and I have been holidaying in the New Forest for the past 10 years, and every year I keep meaning to go to the Tank Museum. But my wife doesn't share my interest in the history of war and so we have never got round to going.

This year though, I took my father in law and youngest son for a day there. I have always been fascinated by both world wars, the brutality, sacrifice, and tragedy of all those that fell and the people behind them designing more innovative defences, machines, aircraft etc.

I could not believe the sheer volume of magnificent examples of tanks of all era's and territories on display, and the personal stories and other items on display that brought it all home. I have studied the history of war, seen lots of documentaries, movies, TV series, and I am familiar with the major players of the tank world. But to see all those classic tanks up close, even go inside a couple of the WW1 tanks, feel the cramped conditions, imagine the heat and noise, and the terrifying scale of them was just something else altogether.

Everything from the familiar Sherman, Panzer, Tiger, T-34, even the British Mk 1 from the first world war that I have seen on screen countless times, to the lesser known more bespoke tanks and vehicles, including prototypes that never went into production are all here.

Overall, if this is a subject that interests you, this is an absolute "must do" visit. read less
David S
22/11/23

November visit great time Great collection of tanks and exhibitions all laid out on... read moreGreat collection of tanks and exhibitions all laid out on different display areas explore how tanks changed through the wars see how confined tanks are in interactive areas  get some great photos explore traveling back to being divined up for war and travel through trench environment and streets visit battle recreations kids play area great gift shop and restaurants wheelchair friendly great for all ages . read less
WOLF626
16/11/23

Nostalgic and emotional whilst being equally enjoyable Check out our visual video review on Youtube by searching... read moreCheck out our visual video review on Youtube by searching TANK MUSEUM Dorset Tripadvisor Review or check our channel at FoodTravelMusicLove.com. LOCATION AND ACCESS Just a few miles in land between Swanage and Weymouth, just down the road from Monkey World Very flat and accessible throughout, some tanks and exhibition areas may be difficult with mobility issues FACILITIES AND SERVICES Great gift shop, very interactive and informative plus the hugest site we’ve seen in years. Lots of nostalgic set ups and audio and the whole place hits you in the heart, fantastic FOOD AND DRINK Well priced cafe restaurant with jacket potatoes, sarnies, other hot food and cold and hot drinks Large seating area and private function suites available OFFICIAL FOODTRAVELMUSICLOVE.COM RATING In our professional opinion the Tank Museum is one of the best attractions we have reviewed in a long time, offering decent value for money and hours of enjoyment Our official rating is 10/10, equal to a Tripadvisor rating of 5 stars. Excellent example of an all ages attraction read less
FoodTravelMusicLove
14/11/23

Nostalgic and emotional whilst being equally enjoyable Check out our visual video review on Youtube by searching... read moreCheck out our visual video review on Youtube by searching TANK MUSEUM Dorset Tripadvisor Review or check our channel at FoodTravelMusicLove.com.

LOCATION AND ACCESS

Just a few miles in land between Swanage and Weymouth, just down the road from Monkey World

Very flat and accessible throughout, some tanks and exhibition areas may be difficult with mobility issues

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

Great gift shop, very interactive and informative plus the hugest site we’ve seen in years. 

Lots of nostalgic set ups and audio and the whole place hits you in the heart, fantastic

FOOD AND DRINK

Well priced cafe restaurant with jacket potatoes, sarnies, other hot food and cold and hot drinks

Large seating area and private function suites available

OFFICIAL FOODTRAVELMUSICLOVE.COM RATING

In our professional opinion the Tank Museum is one of the best attractions we have reviewed in a long time, offering decent value for money and hours of enjoyment

Our official rating is 10/10, equal to a Tripadvisor rating of 5 stars. 

Excellent example of an all ages attraction read less
rossub40
14/11/23

Excellent visit Visited here today. Excellent museum with lots to see and... read moreVisited here today. Excellent museum with lots to see and do for adults and kids. Friendly staff and very reasonably priced. Great activity for a rainy day read less
Figment0337
01/11/23

Tank nirvana! Spectacular displays and an astonishing collection of tanks. This is the perfect place for any tank fan. I... read moreThis is the perfect place for any tank fan. I never imagined I would see EVERY tank that i made models of oh so long ago. It was moving and inspiring to see the the sad stories of machines designed to do one thing   kill! But they were essential and in a strange way beautiful. I saw so many grandfathers talking to their eager and not so eager children. Very professional and helpful staff. Well worth the drive. Loved it! read less
Geoffrey W
31/10/23

Great family day out. Excellent day out with 4 year old, 8 year old... read moreExcellent day out with 4 year old, 8 year old and 73 year old! So much to see and do to keep everyone happy. Very friendly and helpful staff. Nice restaurant or loads of picnic tables. read less
thomash326
24/10/23

Great family day out. Excellent day out with 4 year old, 8 year old... read moreExcellent day out with 4 year old, 8 year old and 73 year old! So much to see and do to keep everyone happy. Very friendly and helpful staff. Nice restaurant or loads of picnic tables. read less
Thomas H
24/10/23

A must for history enthusiasts I've wanted to visit here for quite a few years... read moreI've wanted to visit here for quite a few years now and luckily we were staying nearby during our recent holiday. It's well worth the effort and much better than the tank museum I previously went to in France, a spectacular array of tanks pretty comprehensively covering their entire history from ww1 to the present. Great information on offer and I loved the way the exhibits were arranged. read less
Doc22407
14/10/23